If you wish to operate a business on or near the public highway in Merton, not contained within a building, it is highly likely you will be street trading.
Under the London Local Authorities Act 1990 (as amended) street trading is defined as:
- the selling or the exposure or offer for sale of any article (including a living thing); and
- the purchasing of or offering to purchase any ticket; and
- the supplying of or offering to supply any service, in a street for gain or reward (whether or not the gain or reward accrues to the person actually carrying out the trading);
If you wish to become a street trader, you need to apply for a Street Trading Licence. These licences cover market stalls, food vans, shop forecourts and tables and chairs (see also Pavement Licences) placed on the public highway.
A fee is payable depending on the type of licence you request and the size of the pitch involved.
In general, the selling of goods or the provision of services in the street or up to 7 metres distance from the public highway, will require a licence.
Apply for a street trading licence
A Street Trading Licence means a licence for specified goods, location and time period. These licences run for not less than six months and not more than three years.
A Temporary Licence is one granted for a single day or for such a time period as specified in the licence. A temporary licence may not exceeding six months in duration. The licence is also for specific goods and location differing only in the length it is available for.
Contact us
Street Trading
Regulatory Services Partnership
London Borough of Merton
Civic Centre
London Road
Morden
SM4 5DX
Telephone: 020 8545 3969
Email: licensing@merton.gov.uk